EAC pushes strategy of large PV parks on state lands

The EAC is moving forward with securing large plots of state land for building more photovoltaic (PV) parks, Electricity Authority director George Petrou said on Monday.

“People have come forward offering small parcels of land of 20,000 to 30,000 m2 but, though these are useful, it is necessary for larger land parcels [of up to 300,000 m2] to be secured,” to make a noticeable dent in the cost of electricity provided by the authority, Petrou told state broadcaster CyBC.

He added that several suitable state land parcels had been identified by the EAC and procedures for PV park permits are to kick off with a meeting with the planning department on Wednesday.

“The installation of PVs is a quick matter but what delays progress are the processes, which can take up to two years,” the EAC director said.

These time-consuming procedures, especially the environmental assessments, cannot be circumvented or sped up Petrou said, as they can only be conducted at certain times of the year and over a certain time period to yield accurate information.

Meanwhile, the EAC is moving ahead with securing two updated generators for the Dhekelia power station, as well as storage systems, and the current electricity grid is “holding up well, despite some minor glitches” he said.

The cost of the Dhekelia power plant upgrades, to be completed within the first six months of 2025, are to be borne by consumers over a five-year period and are expected to be very small, he added.

Elsewhere, the authority is set to finally move ahead with the installation of smart meters following a resolution of court deliberations over whether the Cyprus telecommunications authority (Cyta) could be tasked with their provision.

The court has ruled the meters are to be provided by Cyta and 50,000 meters will be received by the EAC by the end the current year.

The meters are expected to benefit consumers by enabling them to monitor and adjust their energy usage habits, as well as by obviating the need for physical meter readings by EAC staff.